PUPILS and teachers at Fryern Infant School in Chandler's Ford have been celebrating a major makeover.

A total of £600,000 has been spent on improvements to the school.

During a special assembly, Hampshire County Council chairman Councillor Ken Thornber cut a ribbon to mark the official opening of

the school's revamped buildings.

Between June 2004 and February 2005 the school underwent a complete external recladding and replacement window programme, with the county council paying the £550,000 bill.

At the same time the school contributed £45,000 towards a range of improvement work, including a new entrance lobby, refurbished staff room and staff and visitors' toilets, decorating and new carpets.

Head teacher Lesley Gould said: "We were all very pleased that we were to be included in the recladding programme because the condition of the building did not reflect the excellent work going on in our classrooms."

She added: "I will be retiring in July and it is really nice to know that the new head teacher will be taking on a school which looks and feels brand new."